Boating & VHF Radio Articles
Free, practical guides written for pleasure-craft skippers — VHF radio procedures, the SRC certificate, the Rules of the Road, coastal navigation and charter paperwork. Most guides are available in 11 languages: use the language links under each title. No signup, no paywall.
VHF Certificates & Qualifications
- Short Range Certificate (SRC): Do You Need One? How to Get It Online Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- SRC Exam: Format, Questions & How to Pass Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Foreign VHF Certificate: What Counts, Where It Works & How to Get One Online
- VHF Certificate Validity: Who Decides If Yours Is Accepted? Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Private vs State VHF Certificate: Do You Need RYA to Charter? Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Online VHF SRC Course + Skipper Refresher Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
Want the certificate, not just the reading? Our complete online VHF SRC course covers the full syllabus with a built-in VHF/DSC simulator and an online exam — digital certificate typically issued the next day.
Charter Destinations & Paperwork
- Chartering in Europe as an American: ICC, VHF & What Bases Check
- Croatia Yacht Charter: Skipper Licence & VHF Requirements Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Greece Yacht Charter: Skipper Licence, Second Crew & VHF Rules Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Chartering in Europe as an American: ICC, VHF & What Bases Check
- How to Prepare for a Sailing Charter: Pre-Charter Checklist Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Polish Yacht Registration: Flag, Documents & VHF Certificate Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
VHF Radio Skills
- How to Speak on a VHF Radio: The Microphone Tip Most Skippers Miss Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- How to Send a MAYDAY Distress Call on VHF — Step by Step Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- What to Do If You Hear a MAYDAY on VHF Radio Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Fixed VHF vs Handheld: Why the Mounted Set Wins Close to Shore Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Why Yacht Skippers Avoid VHF Radio (and Reach for the Phone) Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
Safety at Sea
Navigation & Seamanship
- How to Read Nautical Charts: A Beginner's Guide Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Understanding Tides: A Practical Guide for Sailors Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- Position Fixing & the Running Fix: A Sailor's Guide Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- IALA Buoyage Explained: Cardinal & Lateral Marks Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- How to Anchor a Boat: A Complete Guide for Skippers Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
COLREGs — Rules of the Road
- COLREG Rule 18 Explained: Responsibilities Between Vessels Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- COLREG Rule 23 Explained: Lights for Power-Driven Vessels Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
- COLREG Rule 24 Explained: Towing and Pushing Lights Also in: DE · IT · ES · FR · CZ · PL · HU · SV · PT · IS
Free Video Lessons
The simulator — every vessel and unit, in detail
- Boat docking simulator — berthing practice in 107 real harbours, in the browser
- Motor yacht simulator — docking, thrusters and charter handling of a 15 m motor yacht, in the browser
- Sailing simulator — sail trim, tacks, gybes, reefing and the kites in today's real wind, in the browser
- 50 ft cruising yacht simulator — LATEKO: sails, sheets, reefs and docking, in the browser
- "Chart plotter (ECDIS) simulator — plan a passage on real depths, then prove it for your boat, in the browser"
- ELEONORA — the one-design 30 ft cruiser of THE BALTIC LAP, in the browser
- Online sailing regatta simulator — THE BALTIC LAP, a one-design race round the whole Baltic in real wind, in your browser
- EXPLORER 40 simulator — handling a 40 m explorer yacht in the browser
Free training tools: practise what the articles teach with the VHF/DSC simulator, the COLREG game, the maneuvering board (CPA/TCPA trainer), the maritime glossary and the daily quiz — all free, no signup.